Three Feared Dead, 11 Rescued As Speed Boat Capsizes

A midday speedboat accident in the Calabar Channel claimed the lives of three medical students.

It was learned that 14 medical students who were in Calabar for their annual medical week spent their social day having fun at the well-known Marina Resort.

While it was determined that they boarded the speed boat for Oron Beach in Akwa Ibom State, reports claim that the boat was tossing violently as soon as they departed the dock of the Marina Resort.

An eyewitness said, “The boat capsized due to high waves on the Calabar Channel and the 14 passengers, including the driver, drowned.

“But the fortunate thing is that the Nigerian Navy patrol teams were nearby. So their divers were able to save 11.”

The incident was confirmed by a source from the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, who begged to remain anonymous.

He continued by saying that their troops are still in the water looking for a way to save the other three.

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He begged for prayers as the chances of finding them were dwindling.

The three may have passed away, according to a representative of the Nigeria Medical Association’s Cross River State chapter who also wanted not to be named in an interview.

“The 2023 Nigeria Medical Association Health Week and the Medical School in Calabar are hosting this year’s health week.

“Students across Medical schools in Nigeria came to Calabar just to have their annual health week.

“So in the course of doing their social activities, the plan was for them to go to Marina Resort and visit the Slave History Museum.

“Few of the students decided to go on a boat cruise and it happened that when they were coming from the boat cruise to move to Tinapa for their normal social ride, the boat capsized.

“There were 14 occupants, including the driver of the boat, eleven of them came out safely, while three of them are still missing.

“Two are from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and one from the University of Uyo.

“The navy has been trying to see how they can retrieve their bodies because they cannot find them.

“They are saying we should come tomorrow and get their floating bodies; that is what is on the ground for now.”